Suspected burglars plead innocent

Two burglary defendants and a theft suspect were arraigned Monday on separate cases in Huron County Common Pleas Court.

Ashley M. Stuart, 27, of 975 Monroe St., Apt. 262, Bellevue, is set for a Jan. 24 trial on two counts of burglary, both in connection with an Aug. 20 incident.

The Bellevue Police Department arrested Stuart that day on an allegation she broke into an apartment in the same complex where she lives. She was arraigned the same day on another local case which involves a different Bellevue woman. Stuart is scheduled for a Nov. 27 trial on one count each of theft of a credit card and forgery. The suspected theft took place between June 21 through 29 and the alleged forgery is in connection with a June 22 incident.

Stuart is out of jail on the burglary case, having posted a $15,000 bond. Judge Jim Conway has prohibited her from having any association with the Monroe Street, Bellevue, victim or being on her premises.

While Stuart was at the Bellevue police station, the burglary victim notified police she was missing four rings, with one diamond ring worth $1,000. Detective Thomas Saleski and the apartment complex manager were unable to locate the items in Stuart's apartment.

The suspect, when interviewed, told police the door to the woman's apartment was unlocked and "she only went there to give her quarters for laundry," according to Saleski's report.

In separate cases:

** Todd R. Brown, 31, of 3915 Henry St., No. 3, Plymouth, is scheduled to go to trial Jan. 22. He is charged with one count each of burglary and theft of a firearm, which is punishable by as much as six years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Brown was arrested at a Mansfield hotel, where Harris located Brown with the help of the Mansfield Police Department. Authorities recovered several stolen firearms and a large amount of cash there.

Authorities suspect this was a drug-related crime.

"Like all addicts, they steal to support their habit," Huron County Assistant Prosecutor Richard Woodruff said earlier. "They trade (victims' belongings) for drugs or sell them for drugs."

Brown completed serving an undisclosed misdemeanor sentence today at the Richland County Jail. As part of his local $12,000 bond, he is prohibited from being on the victim's premises.

** Phillip D. Vinson, 40, of 137 N. Pleasant St., Apt. 1C, goes to trial Jan. 31 on one count of theft in connection with a Sept. 25 incident. He is out on a $15,000 bond and is prohibited from being on the premises of the Norwalk Walmart.